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March 24, 2026
遭受zāoshòu(zao1shou4)
遭受 means to experience or endure something negative, such as suffering, loss, or misfortune. It is often used in contexts discussing hardships, challenges, or adverse events that one has faced, such as遭受灾难 (to suffer disaster) or 遭受损失 (to sustain losses).
Strokes22Frequency#4307DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of suffering is often tied to resilience and the idea that enduring hardship can lead to personal growth. This is reflected in proverbs and sayings that emphasize the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing under a heavy rainstorm representing misfortune, with the rain pouring down on them, symbolizing the character 遭 (to encounter) while the radical 受 (to receive) suggests that they are receiving this adverse experience. The sound 'zao' can be remembered as 'sorrow' which aligns with the meaning of suffering.
Meanings of 遭受
zāoshòu(zao1shou4)
1to suffer
2to sustain (loss, misfortune)
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About 遭受
遭受Simplified
22Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4307Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 遭受
Podcast: 遭受
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AI Study Notes for 遭受
Quick Contrast
遭遇 (zāoyù) - use 遭受 when emphasizing the experience of suffering or hardship, while 遭遇 focuses more on the encounter or meeting with something, not necessarily negative.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 遭受 with 受到, which has a more neutral tone and can imply receiving benefits or praise. 遭受 is typically used in more serious contexts, and collocations often involve negative situations. Ensure that you use it appropriately in both formal and informal discussions, as it conveys a sense of gravity.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 遭受 connects to other advanced vocabulary surrounding hardship and adversity. Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe personal experiences or historical events to grasp its nuance better.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 遭受 with 受到, incorrectly using 遭受 in contexts that do not involve suffering, such as '我遭受了她的礼物' (I suffered her gift), which should be '我受到了她的礼物' (I received her gift).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 遭受
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遭受 means to experience or endure something negative, such as suffering, loss, or misfortune. It is often used in contexts discussing hardships, challenges, or adverse events that one has faced, such as遭受灾难 (to suffer disaster) or 遭受损失 (to sustain losses).
When to use 遭受
Be careful not to confuse 遭受 with 受到, which has a more neutral tone and can imply receiving benefits or praise. 遭受 is typically used in more serious contexts, and collocations often involve negative situations. Ensure that you use it appropriately in both formal and informal discussions, as it conveys a sense of gravity.
遭受 or something close to it
遭遇 (zāoyù) - use 遭受 when emphasizing the experience of suffering or hardship, while 遭遇 focuses more on the encounter or meeting with something, not necessarily negative.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 遭受 with 受到, incorrectly using 遭受 in contexts that do not involve suffering, such as '我遭受了她的礼物' (I suffered her gift), which should be '我受到了她的礼物' (I received her gift).
Write 遭受
遭
受
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Grammar Patterns of 遭受
遭受 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
传染病正在____洪灾的很多灾民中蔓延。
Infectious diseases are spreading among many of the flood victims.
